May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (10 AM-12 PM) Family Support Groups. This is a time for people who are on a cancer journey with someone they love to come together to discuss issues, give information to one another and be part of a supportive community. Meets at Gilda’s Club, 1806 Bridge NW, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Beth Nelson
Phone: (616) 453-8300

May 1, 15 (12:30 to 2:30 PM) Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association and CareTree Adult Day Services. Respite for loved one available free of charge – call ahead to make arrangements. Meets at CareTree, 800 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids.
For Information: Clayton Brillhart (616) 363-4101
For respite call: Betsy (616) 464-3665

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (6:00-8:00 PM) Family Support Groups. This is a time for people who are on a cancer journey with someone they love to come together to discuss issues, give information to one another and be part of a supportive community. Meets at Gilda’s Club, 1806 Bridge NW, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Beth Nelson
Phone: (616) 453-8300

May 1 (7:00 PM) Adult Children Caregiver Support Group. For adult children of individuals who have Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association and Rest Haven Homes. Meets at Rest Haven Homes, 1424 Union NE, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Ruth Johnston
Phone: (616) 363-6819

May 7 (1:15 – 2:15 PM). Men’s Caregiver Support Group. For male caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association and Rest Haven Homes. Meets at Rest Haven Homes, 1424 Union NE,
Grand Rapids. Note: The Alzheimer’s Association co-sponsors a number of caregiver support groups in Kent County; a complete list is available online at www.alzgmc.org or by calling 1-800-272-3900.
Contact: Brian Wilson
Phone: (616) 363-6819

May 11 (2:00-4:00 PM) ALS Support Group. Features both joint and separate meetings for caregivers and care recipients. Meets at 1st Evangelical Covenant Church, 1933 Tremont Blvd. NW, Grand Rapids.
Contact: West Michigan Chapter of ALS
Phone: (616) 459-1900 or (800) 387-7121

May 12, 26 (5:30-6:30PM) “Family Connection” Support Group. This support group helps spouses, parents, siblings and other caregivers more effectively deal with the stresses created by the symptoms or behaviors associated with mental illness. It also offers guidance through shared experiences, the sharing of effective coping strategies, and knowledge about various disorders in a safe confidential setting. This support group sponsored by Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services meets at the clinic located at 4211 Parkway Place, Suite 100, Grandville.
Contact: Southwest Clinic
Phone: (616) 222-3700

May 12 (6:30 PM) Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Co- sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association and ComForcare Senior Services. Meets at Heather Hills Retirement Village, 1055 Forest Hill Avenue, SE, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Alicia Junghans
Phone: (616) 285-7000

May 13 (7:00 – 8:30 PM) Trinity Lutheran Church’s Helping Helpers. Speaker: Rosemary Ramos, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Topic: What to Do When Low Vision Occurs. An education and support group for caregivers. Meets at Trinity Lutheran Church, Room 213/215, 2700 East Fulton, Grand Rapids.
For more information: (616) 949-2510

May 14 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM) Get Away Day: Lunch at the Crazy Horse Saloon and visit to Veldheer’s Tulip Garden in Holland. Offered by Holland Home, this is a fun, recreational outing planned by caregivers and staff. This program is designed to provide caregivers with the opportunity to enjoy some time for themselves, away from the duties of caregiving. Transportation is available for the first 23 people to sign up. Meet at CareTree – 800 East Beltline NE at 10:45am. Call ahead if you need respite care for your loved one, and to make reservation.
Contact: Betsy
Phone: (616) 464-3665
Cost: Cost of lunch

May 15 (1:30 – 2:30 PM) Caregiver Support Group. Groups for both caregivers of persons who have Alzheimer’s or related dementias; and persons with early-stage dementia. Sponsored by Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Meets at Pine Rest, Mulder Center, 300 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Nancy Cortney
Phone: (616) 364-1500, Ext. 3677

May 17 (1:30 PM) Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association and GR Home for Veterans. Meets at Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, 3000 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Sue Marsh
Phone: (616) 243-5682

May 19 (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM) Confident Caregivers of West Michigan.
Speaker: Dr. David Sharpe & Dr. John Mulder of Faith Hospice. Topic: Hospice 101: What Everyone Should Know. A support and educational group designed to provide caregivers with the opportunity to openly share their experiences with other caregivers, obtain information and link with community resources. Complimentary lunch provided. Meets at Calvary Church Room 123, 777 East Beltline, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Church office
Phone: (616) 956-9377

May 20 (6:30 – 8:00 PM) Caregiver Support Group. Speaker: Sanford Freed, SafeCall. Topic: Safety & Security in the Home, and Hearing Loss. A Support and education group for people who take care of a loved one. Co-sponsored by The Shrine of St. Francis Xavier and Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Immaculate Heart of Mary parishes. Meets at St. Francis Xavier school at 250 Brown St. SE, Grand Rapids.
Phone: (616) 538-8019

May 21 (10:00 – 11:30 AM) Caregiver Support Group. Topic: Coping with Dying and Loss. A Support and education group for people who take care of a loved one. Co-sponsored by Holy Name of Jesus, Holy Redeemer, St. John Vianney, St. Sebastian, and St. Pius X Parishes, in conjunction with Holland Home. Meets at Holy Redeemer Parish, 2700 Baldwin Dr., Jenison.
Contact: Rhonda
Phone: (616) 669-9220, Ext. 1101

May 26 (10:00 – 11:30 AM) Caregiver Support Group. Facilitator: Rev. Eric Britcher. Topic: A Sharing Program: Developing the Patience of Job! A support and education group for people who take care of a loved one. Offered by Mayflower Congregational Church and Holland Home. Meets at Mayflower Congregational Church, 2345 Robinson Rd. SE, Grand Rapids.
For information call: (616) 459-6255

May 26 (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM). Side-by-Side Adult Day Services Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association and Side-By-Side Adult Day Services. Lunch provided at no cost. Meets at Conference Room, Family Life Center, 1256 Walker Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Judy Maxim
Phone: (616) 235-2910, Ext. 17

May 27 (7:00 – 9:00 PM) Support Group for Family & Friends of Aging Adults. Speaker: Dr. Kevin Foley, Director of St. Mary’s Hauenstein Center and Memory Disorders Program. Topic: Advancements in Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Note: An open forum style question and answer session is facilitated by Ron Rozema after each guest speaker session. Meet at Thornapple Evangelical Covenant Church, 6595 Cascade Rd. SE (NE corner Cascade & Burton).
For Information: Julie Griffin (616) 243-8116 or Ron Rozema (616) 222-4522

May 28 (6:00 PM) Frontotemporal Dementia/ Pick’s Disease Caregiver Support Group. For caregivers of individuals who have Frontotemporal/Pick’s Disease. Co-sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association and St. Mary’s Health Care. Meets at St. Mary’s Health Care, Wege Center, Room 14, 300 Lafayette SE, Grand Rapids.
Contact: Karen Bugg
Phone: (616) 913-1044